Media Representations
EastEnders is a long – time running British television soap opera. It has been airing since February 1985 and still is an ongoing popular soap opera. EastEnders portrays normal working class people who live in a together in Albert Square. EastEnders is built around the ideas of relationships and strong families which each character having their place in the community. The characters in EastEnders are presented in a negative and stereotypical way to create humour and create conflicts between the characters. The soap presents characters from different multi-cultural backgrounds. For example, The Masood family is presented as a typical stereotypical family. However the representation that is made is not always accurate and fair. For example the characters Syed and Christian are presented in a negative way as they other characters are presented to be homophobic.
The characters in EastEnders are all presented to be positive however having their flaws at the same time which shine through. EastEnders presents a wide range of ethnic groups compared the other soap operas. By doing this the viewers are allowed to interact and relate to the characters. Also the soap opera is presented to be realistic if it covers stories which are happening in Britain at the time.
Narrative
EastEnders is aired on a daily basis before the water shed time on BBC One. It is aired four times in a week, usually Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. However on special festival occasions such as Christmas and New year or an special plot, EastEnders have extended episodes for their consumer audience to enjoy. The demand for EastEnders on special occasions has risen over the years with hitting 11 million views on Christmas day.
The narrative usually starts off where it was left in the previous episode, however a recap is not shown of what has happened in the previous episode. The soap opera consists of many storylines in one episode. There are usually over four storylines going on at once which engages the audience into the soap and keeps them entertained with many storylines. The narrative usually follows many theories such as Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory alongside Vladimir Propp's character structure theory. The narrative usually follows Tzetan Todorov's theory with plot lines which start off with an state of equilibrium by some action which is followed by an dis- equilibrium and then is soon resolved with an new- equilibrium. Accompanying Todorov's theory EastEnders uses Propp's character structure theory using characters such as donors, villain's, the hero or victim, the princess and the dispatcher.
EastEnders used Todorov's and Propp's theory for Ronnie and Kat's storyline. The equilibrium was presented to be Ronnie realising her baby has passed away. Ronnie was seen as the villain as the dis-equilibrium was presented as she stole Kat's baby and replaced it was her baby which suffered from a cot death. However as the storyline went on and Kat became the victim not knowing what was taken from her the storyline came to an end with the new-equilibrium taking place as Ronnie admitted on taking Kat's baby Tommy. The use of Todorov's and Propp's theories helped the audience understand, make judgements and opinions for themselves.
Throughout the episodes the audience is able to interact, engage and understand the characters feelings. The editors use sound such as happy music when an important character leaves which helps the audience understand what is happening at the stage of the episode. Different camera shots such shot - reverse - shots allow the audience interact with the characters as they can see their emotions with close shots and their body language through medium- shots. The clothing worn by characters connotes to the audience what they characters are like. Also it helps bring a realistic view to the soap opera.
Genre:
The genre of the text is soap operas. The conventions of soap operas are usually many continuous storylines in one episode and multi stranded narratives. Usually the storylines are focused on family life and personal relationships. The storylines are usually focused on working class communities and are usually set in a particular place. Other conventions consist of no relation to the outside world and placement of clocks and diegetic sounds create realism. All these conventions are followed by the writer’s, directors and stars who play the characters we watch on TV. The conventions help create realism and portray the soap’s ideology.
Media Institutions
EastEnders is aired by the BBC which is owned by the government. The BBC has many values in which they have to put through their programmes that are aired by the institution. EastEnders is aired before the water –shed period time which does not allow the character to swear or show sexual content which allows the whole family enjoy the soap opera. As the BBC has many values to present they have to follow them in soap operas and entertain as well as inform and educate at the same time. EastEnders is able to present these values by showing real case issues and making the public aware of what is happening around us. EastEnders was successful in doing this in Whitney’s storyline by making people aware of illegal underage sex. The storyline helped Children in Need raise money and make the public aware of what is happening in the world around us.
In my opinion I think that it matters that the government own BBC One which the soap is broadcasted on. It is harder to show the values and doing all three at the same time at once. Also if mistakes are made before the watershed time it could harm the reputation of the BBC.
Media Audiences
EastEnders is addressed to a wide range of audiences. The main target audience are teenagers and young adults. Also people in CDE classes would be the typical working class to be watching the soap opera as they are more able to engage with what is happening than someone who is an higher profession such as a lawyer or doctor. The soap opera is broadcasted at a time which the whole family can watch the soap while having their dinner or before. The soap is broadcasted before the watershed time period which connotes the values of the BBC as there is no swearing and no sexual content which makes the soap suitable for all ages.
The soap opera has a large audience as the soap has been popular since it was first aired. Christmas 2010 EastEnders received 11 million views with hitting the audience with one of their most controverstic headlines which received many complaints. This brought a lot of publicity for the soap and made many people watch the soap to find out what was happening.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088512/
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080916080542AA860gq
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